Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Top 10

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its winter rankings process this week with the latest 2026 update, following last week's 2025 and followed by a 2027 update and first 2028 rankings on the horizon.   Leading up to the complete, 300-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 50 in more detail.   And make sure to check back following the release for additional features and notes on the 2026 cohort, including looks at debuts and stock-risers.     No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='1345158' first='Blaise' last='Thomassie'] — 6-5, 275 OL — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   The biggest question surrounding the Bears this season was how the 2023 Division-I Select state champions would handle the transition for a starting quarterback with FBS talent and three-plus years of starting experience to a pair of new faces leading the offense. And Catholic remained arguably a top-two team in the state in a credit to not only the performance of the new passers and to the coaching and leadership of the program as a whole, but the performance of players at other positions — including a pair of tackles as good as any in the state with a Louisiana Tech-bound senior and the ascending junior standout. Thomassie was a star in his role, a strong and balanced blocker in both the passing and run games who was consistently a top performer throughout the season.   No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='920606' first='Darryus' last='McKinley'] — 6-3, 265 DL — Acadiana   The younger brother of Louisiana's top-ranked 2024 prospect really started to come more into his own this year, both starting to physically fill out his long frame and also more consistently fill out the stat sheet. Darryus is now listed 50 pounds stronger than when he first debuted in the top 10 nearly two years ago and finished his junior season with 67 tackles, including 18 for loss and eight sacks, plus another 11 hurries. He continues to show the athleticism and speed to work from outside — in some cases, well wide of tackle, in a two-point stance — while also now stronger than ever to win more physical battles in run defense.   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Airline   One of the most notable 2026 stock-risers in this round of updates, the Vikings' athletic pass-catcher had a exceptional fall that included leading the state in receiving yardage, earning all-state honors and earning and committing to an offer from home-state LSU. Darby had shown high-level flashes in his limited action during an injury-shortened sophomore season and appeared to come back even stronger as a junior with 100 catches for 1,764 yards and 24 touchdowns — averages of 17.6 yards per catch and a touchdowns every 4.2 catches — at the Class 5A level.   No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 290 OL — East Ascension   Minimal fresh footage is available on the the Spartans' big tackle from this fall, but his most recent basketball highlights provide a great look at the athleticism at his size that has helped make him one of the nation's most sought-after offensive linemen. The most recent football-related development came with a mid-January offer from Alabama, who will joins a mix with LSU, Tennessee, Florida State and many others. Martinez has been a mainstay near the top of this list for two years now with his great frame and mobility for a tackle at the next level (and beyond).   No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='401954' first='Dylan' last='Berymon'] — 6-3, 305 DL — Ouachita Parish   The Lions' trench-monster earned Class 5A all-state honors with a stat line of 45 tackles, including 15 for loss and three sacks, plus five hurries that doesn't do justice to the impact he makes on the field. Berymon's combination of size, natural strength and explosiveness command consistent double teams to prevent him from completely disrupting games from the inside. But, even against multiple blockers, he still manages to generate interior push — all while also showing the athleticism to bounce outside and attack from the edge, positional versatility that creates even more of an issue for opponents to try to combat.   No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'] — 6-2, 205 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   The Bears' hard-hitting safety earned all-state honorable mention this fall, narrowly missing the first-team cut in a reflection more on the brutal Class 5A defensive back ballot than on his performance. The younger of the Bradford brothers finished his junior campaign with 44 tackles, including one for a loss and one blocked kick, and was often a tone-setter with his explosive tackling and pass break-ups for a Catholic team that almost-seamlessly remained one of Louisiana's elite teams despite its graduation of several key leaders from the 2023 state-title roster.   No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr   The first of a pair of all-state Edna Karr defensive stars in the top four, Hall finished his junior season with 38 tackles, including 12 for loss and four sacks, plus four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, four blocked punts and a pair of fumble recoveries. The long, physical safety was all over the field for the Cougars as the headliner of their loaded secondary group and continues to develop into a well-rounded playmaker who is just as effective patrolling the back end of the defense, crashing downhill to end plays as an often-explosive tackler or helping cover opposing slot receivers.   No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='212340' first='Jabari' last='Mack'] — 6-1, 195 WR/ATH — Destrehan   The Wildcats' versatile playmaker took a big step forward this fall as a more consistent, go-to weapon for the offense not only as a lethal receiving threat at every level, but a wrinkle in the backfield as a running back or wildcat quarterback. With or without the ball, Mack is remarkably explosive and quick in his ability to create separation from defenders — whether in his release or out of his breaks as a route-runner, leaping to make plays in the air or juking free after the catch or on the run. Even when an attempted tackler does finally get a hand on him, he has a strong build that can be tough to bring down. And his flashes of wide-ranging highlight-reel potential as an underclassman appeared this fall to become more of the week-in, week-out norm.   No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 320 DL — Edna Karr   "Big Rich" has been a top-10 prospect in the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings his entire career and earns his highest position on the list after an exceptional junior season. Like the aforementioned Berymon, the Cougars' big defensive tackle earned all-state honors for a solid stat line, but one that doesn't do complete justice to how effective Anderson was on the field — particularly down the stretch of Edna Karr's state-title run. Anderson finished with 44 tackles, including 15 for loss and 10 sacks, plus another 18 quarterback hurries and a pair of interception, but was an absolutely nightmare in the middle of the defensive front — perhaps best displayed by his six tackles for loss and a safety in the championship game.   No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='212343' first='Lamar' last='Brown'] — 6-4, 280 OL/DL — University Lab   This marks the first round of full rankings updates that Brown has topped the 2026 list, but he took over at No. 1 during the fall following the reclassification of [player_tooltip player_id='212341' first='Jahkeem' last='Stewart'], the defensive lineman with whom he'd been neck-and-neck as the two-man top tier of the class. Brown is a big-bodied, physical force with impressive athleticism in the trenches on either side of the line of scrimmage — positionally versatility that adds another strong quality to his résumé. Whether blocking for his own quarterback and running backs or harassing others, he has been a high-level playmaker throughout his high school career and possesses the potential to do either well at the next level as well.

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its winter rankings process this week with the latest 2026 update, following last week's 2025 and followed by a 2027 update and first 2028 rankings on the horizon.